Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has had enough of bandits — and he’s making that crystal clear. During a condolence visit to communities hit by recent attacks in Rijau and Magama LGAs, Bago told residents it’s time to rise up and defend themselves.
“I will not negotiate with bandits; I will not pay ransom,” he declared. “Once we start paying, they’ll open shop on our heads and keep kidnapping people.”
The governor said the state is at “a point of war,” and everyone has to play a part in pushing back. While government is responsible for protecting lives and property, he reminded citizens that the constitution also gives them the right to self-defense.
To back that up, Bago announced the recruitment of 10,000 young men and women into a new Joint Task Force — a community-driven force aimed at taking the fight to the criminals.
And he’s also going after one of the money trails behind the violence: illegal mining. The governor has banned all mining activities across Niger North Senatorial District — covering Mariga, Rijau, Magama, Kontagora, Wushishi, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara LGAs — citing intelligence that links mining operations to bandit activity.
“It’s suspicious that miners can walk freely in the forest while bandits don’t touch them,” Bago said, directing security agencies to arrest anyone caught mining in the affected areas.
The governor also promised compensation for families of victims, medical help for the injured, and support for those who lost their livelihoods. His message to the criminals was equally clear: Niger State is taking back its land — and bandits will never find a safe haven again.
